Genre: MM Paranormal Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
The bull shifter, Ryan, and his human mate, Caleb, have made a good life together. Alongside Caleb’s mother, Mandy, they run an animal rehabilitation center on their ranch. Ryan has become the honorary uncle to two young bull shifters, and Caleb is proud at how well his mate has acclimated to the human world. For Ryan, he’s found the family and the peace he’s long craved, and he’s determined to keep it by whatever means necessary.
But their quiet lives are disrupted when Caleb’s aunt—Chief Hera of the US Agency—visits. And she brings a dire warning: the Knights of the Dawn want Ryan’s blood.
After losing someone precious to them during a skirmish with the knights, Caleb spirals into grief, and Ryan must work through his guilt and sorrow to care for his mate. A task made easier when Hera stays with her nephews, sharing their heartache.
After they retreat to Haven, Montana, they begin the long process of healing. Unfortunately, Haven is in a state of unrest, and they are sucked into shifter politics that threaten the safety of the community as a whole. Meanwhile, the knights still need Ryan’s blood, and he can’t hide forever.
Note to readers: Caleb and Ryan first show up in Love is a Whirlwind. While many of these books can be read alone, for full enjoyment please read previous books in the series, as this one does have many cameos and character resolutions.
The Review
All seems to be well after Ryan’s kidnapping. The non-profit ranch owned by Mandy O’Connell and her son Caleb has been peaceful. The ranch is a safe place for farm and ranch animals that have been abused, neglected and need rehabilitation. Most of all, it’s a place of safety and love where all animals and shifters can be free. Lorie is the full-time vet and a shifter, with her sons William and Branden. Caleb’s mate Ryan was known as Whirlwind on the bull riding circuit, but Caleb saved him. Now Ryan can shift and still live free, and he’s slowly adapting to a human way of life.
Mandy’s sister, Aunt Louise – aka Chief Hera of the US Branch of Agency – has come to the ranch on important business. It seems the troubles aren’t over yet. Arcas and the Knights of Dawn are still seeking the special blood from a shifter. Louise has come to provide protection for her family.
She offers them two options: they can leave the ranch, or stay. If they choose to stay, Louise will provide protection for them. Needless to say, this decision creates mixed feelings, especially when Ryan agrees to make himself bait. Caleb is not happy at all, and this causes a fight between him and Ryan. Ryan is loyal to his newfound family, and will do whatever he can to protect them all.
Since Mandy, Caleb and Lorie all agree to stay, Ryan will stand with them and fight. Louise sends protection to the farm in the way of Persephones, Lila, Luke and Anubis. Each tells the family what their gift is, and the one that upsets Caleb and Mandy the most is Anubis’ ability to speak with spirits. Caleb and Mandy dont’t believe in ghosts or spirits, so it’s disturbing to think that someone could talk to Mandy’s husband/Caleb’s father.
Everyone is on edge at the farm, but they still try to proceed as normal. But danger and tragedy come calling, and Caleb and Ryan have no other choice but to leave the farm with Louise. They find themselves in the isolated community of Haven, where hey will be housed at the Healing Minds, Bodies and Soul Counseling Center.
Is this the right move for Ryan and Caleb? What’s in store for Ryan, Caleb, Lorie and her sons? Is there a place where they all can find peace?
Grimm has penned another exciting, fast-paced tale in her “Shifter Chronicles” series. Even though I haven’t read the earlier chronicles, the story works as a stand-alone and is easy to follow. The author lays out the history of the Agency and its place in the world of shifters, and their fight against Arcas and the Knights of Dawn. The story has all the feels, from heartbreaking sadness, found family, and love. But there’s also the dark side of hate, discrimination and homophobia.
There are a host of characters to meet in this series: Sheriff Jack Ulger, who founded Haven, and his partner Travis; Josh and Xavier; Mac, Odin, Poe and Nordic and Raphael and Ahmes; Dr. Matteo Ricci; and Merlin. If any of them pique your curiosity, you can find their stories and others in “The Shifter Chronicles.”
I recommend Blood of the Whirlwind, especially if you love shifters.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.